SPEAKING & WORKSHOPS
How to choose an AI speaker or workshop for your team
Choose an AI speaker around the audience and the outcome. A keynote can help a room understand a change; a workshop gives people time to practice. Start with what participants should understand or be able to do afterward.
Choose the format before the topic list
A keynote suits a large audience that needs a shared perspective. A panel suits a topic with several viewpoints. A workshop suits a smaller group with a specific task to work through. An event host helps connect speakers, sessions and the purpose of the day.
A request for “something about AI” is a starting point. A request to help a marketing team evaluate AI content workflows is a workable brief.
Match the session to the room
Describe the participants’ roles, their familiarity with AI and the tools they can use. A mixed audience of founders and operators needs different examples from a team already experimenting with AI every day.
For a workshop, confirm whether participants will have laptops, access to the relevant tools and permission to use sample material. Use fictional or approved examples when company information is confidential.
Look for evidence of fit
- Talk topics that connect to your business objective.
- Relevant work, research or experience behind those topics.
- Examples of how the speaker explains ideas to your audience.
- A clear agreement on format, preparation and deliverables.
A recognizable name may help an event attract attention. The session still needs to fit the people in the room.
Send an inquiry that can become a proposal
Include the audience, approximate attendance, date, location or virtual format, session length, objective and budget. Mention recording, travel and any follow-up materials you expect.
Valerie’s topics include AI and the future of work, personal branding on LinkedIn and women building with AI. Explore speaking and workshop options, or read the research behind part of her work.
Prepared with AI assistance from Valerie’s published work and public sources. This article is a practical guide; it does not describe a client’s results.